Western Society and the Church in the Middle Ages

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The concept of an ordered human society, both religious and secular, as an expression of a divinely ordered universe was central to medieval thought. In the West the political and religious community were inextricably bound together, and because the Church was so intimately involved with the world, any history of it must take into account the development of medieval society. Professor Southern's book covers the period from the eighth to the sixteenth century. After sketching the main features of each medieval age, he deals in greater detail with the Papacy, the relations between Rome and her rival Constantinople, the bishops and archbishops, and the various religious orders, providing in all a superb history of the period.

Preface List of Abbreviations

1. Church and Society

2. The Divisions of Time I. The Primitive Age, c. 700-c. 1050

II. The Age of Growth, c. 1050-c. 1300 The main development The rise and limits of clerical supremacy The positive achievement

III. The Age of Unrest, c. 1300-c. 1550 The changing environment Political change and reaction

3. The Divisions of Christendom I. The Seeds of Disunity Divergent habits Political separation Doctrinal differences

II. The Two Churches

III. The Search for Reunion The military way The political package deal The way of understanding Regression

4. The Papacy I. The Primitive Age, c. 700-c. 1050 The Vicar of St. Peter The supreme temporal lord

II. The Age of Growth, c. 1050-c. 1300 The Vicar of Christ The growth of business The primacy and temporal power The lawyer-popes